All The Dead Shall Weep

This is book 5 of Charlaine Harris's Gunnie Rose series.

I have been reading Harris' books for decades. Netgalley kindly provided me with an ARC for review. Usually, when I finish a book, I can write a review fairly quickly. After finishing All the Dead Shall Weep, I was left thinking: "what was that? What do I say?" I decided to put it aside, reread it, and go from there.

The book easily withstood a second reading within weeks of the first. In other words, it is an interesting enjoyable read. Unlike the earlier books, this one really was "an installment". The reading experience was very much "This is happening, and then suddenly this, and then suddenly this...What is Going On!?"

Unlike the earlier books, events occur around Rose's settlement, so we see more interactions with Gunnie Rose, her family, and the people around her. We also enjoy her and Felicia getting to know each other, and learning to work with and around each other. The story is told from Rose's and Felicia's point of view, which I really enjoyed.

The blurb makes it clear that many of the goings on are in the lead-up to the Wizard's Ball. Hopefully, that happens in the next book. If there are more "lead-up" books, I will be Very Annoyed.

The first few books in this series were structured around Gunnie Rose having a task, what happens during the task, and then what happens after. The Serpent In Heaven is about Felicia and her life at school in San Diego. This book can, I suppose, be seen more as a continuation of the "Felicia's life" structure.

Of course, I will pounce on the next book emitting loud cries of pleasure. In fact, I expect before reading that one, I will reread this one for the third time with great enjoyment.

This book was another hit from the author as this series continues. The author does a decent job of fitting in the past to make the story understandable for those who have not read other books in the series. However, reading the other books would be helpful to the reader. The storyline itself has a lot of enjoyable mystery and suspense. This is a book which I would recommend to others.

5 out of 5.

Peter Savarova, Eli's younger brother, and Felicia Dominguez Karkarova, Lizbeth's half-sister, come to visit shortly after Lizbeth's miscarriage. Felicia senses the strain between them. When Eli and Peter soon depart for San Diego with no explanation, Lizbeth is positive that her marriage is over, that living in a small town in the middle of nowhere was not enough for her grigori husband.

Felicia and Lizbeth grow closer as events keep putting them in danger. It appears that someone wants Lizbeth dead. Not to mention a sudden influx of suitors for Felicia now that she is old enough and powerful enough, despite still in training, to attend the ball used as a matchmaking event. At least it all helps take Lizbeth's mind off her heartache.

This is a NetGalley ARC, courtesy of Simon & Schuster, with an anticipated release date of September 5, 2023. I cannot thank them enough for this early look at one of my favorite series!

Prepare yourself for a wild ride and some extremely emotional and angst ridden moments. Harris does a spectacular job with the mythology aspect of her worldbuilding, building on events, people, and hints from the previous books in the series. The mix of genres is more than welcome, even if it makes it tough to categorize when posting reviews on Goodreads and StoryGraph.

I particularly love the well-drawn characters. Everyone is real, having bad and good in them. No one is 100% of either. And, more importantly, the characters grow. For instance, throughout the series I've progressed from finding Felicia an annoying brat I was ready to see the last of to truly enjoying her feistiness and inner strength. Or Peter, who first appeared as a nonentity to a sweet, kind and caring young man on the verge of manhood. My heart aches.

The subplots and background events through the last couple of books have really got me thinking and guessing as to what comes next, increasing the suspense. Particularly the hints of war and aggression. Then there is that last line. I honestly look forward to what comes next.

(reviews posted on Goodreads, StoryGraph, Tumblr, and linked on Twitter)

If Gunny Rose is the Annie Oakley of this somewhat dystopian wild west in which the USA has been partitioned into five countries, then it is possible her half- sister Felicia is the Calamity Jane. She may only be fifteen and still learning how to manage her magic, but she is powerful, street smart and loyal to her sister. All the Dead Shall Weep is an engrossing tale and a warning to anyone foolish enough to mess with these incredible sisters. If you haven’t already read it, start with An Easy Death and move along little doggies, move along for this fifth fantastic read.

The fifth book in the Gunnie Rose series takes place in Texoma. Lizbeth and Eli have settled in Lixbeth's home country after leaving San Diego. There are major adjustments to make for this newly married couple. Lizbeth has just lost a baby and is dealing with grief. She is also wondering if Eli regrets both their marriage and their move since he can't really use his grigori talents.

Lizbeth's half-sister Felicia and Eli's brother Peter have arrived from San Diego for a visit and to get out of San Diego. Felicia is now fifteen and is coming into her grigori powers which are looking to be very strong. Her major talent is death magic which makes her a very attractive commodity for magical families looking to increase their power.

When a militia comes to Texoma and kidnaps Eli and Peter, Lizabeth and Felicia go after them. After rescuing them, Eli and Peter head off to San Diego without explanation. Lizbeth fears that Eli has left her forever. But several visitors coming courting Felicia for their families and a couple of kidnapping attempts keep both Felicia and Lizbeth busy.

This alternate history story with magic was an entertaining story. I like the worldbuilding and I like the characters.

Charlaine Harris is one of the best writers working today. No matter the genre, all of her books are terrific. That said, I think she particularly shines when writing speculative fiction. There is nobody who builds a world better than Charlaine Harris. This series in particular, with its intricate plotting, badass heroines, and truly unique and fascinating setting is one of her very best and, true to Harris’ norm, is actually getting better with every book. I absolutely can’t wait to read the next one.

Four and a half
Fabulous four and a half as this series continues to shock and delight . We catch up with Lizbeth as her half sister Felicia comes to stay but almost immediately their quiet town is attacked meaning Eli and his brother go missing but there's no way Lizbeth won't track her man down !
This began as an almost straight forward hunt to stop the bad guys but very quickly escalated into something completely different as Eli literally tells Lizbeth he's leaving her and understandably the bottom falls out of her world. Could he have said more ? Absolutely. Should they actually talk about feelings ? Well come on misunderstandings are the bane of our lives and this couple are equally to blame.
Ok nuff said about that and the author agrees because step forward magical suitors for Felicia to distract the reader and the sisters too !
Oh my this was fabulous, funny at times but tragic too and I very much look forward to the Magical Ball and whatever shenanigans the sisters get up to there !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Gunnie Rose series #5 finds Felicia and Peter coming to visit Eli and Lizbeth in Texohoma. Eli is called back to San Diego and takes Peter with him. Lizabeth reacts to Eli's strange departure thinking that he has left her for good. This leave the sisters vulnerable to their enemies plans for revenge. Lizbeth and Felicia begin to have visits from magical suitors seeking to court Felicia in advance of the Wizard's Ball. (The Wizards Ball is an event where all the magical families list all their eligible for marriage family members so that alliances can be made or magical powers increased by marriage.) Everything that happens is leading up to this Ball!

I liked this one far more than the other books in the Gunnie Rose series. Maybe it's because when I read the others I was in a bit of a reading slump. I still didn't like it as much as her Sookie Stackhouse books, but I definitely would like to continue reading the series!

I love this series! I’ve been a huge Charlaine Harris fan since the True Blood book series. This is not a standalone book and it will be very confusing if you haven’t read the previous books in the Gunnie Rose series. I love the character of Lizbeth but I’m happy to see the series branch out into other characters like Felicia.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is a continuation of the Gunnie Rose series following characters introduced in the precious four books. The author switches narrators between the two sister Lizbeth and Felicia through the book. The last book was in Felicia POV and I wasn’t a huge fan. This one suffers from being split between the two voices as well. I also feel that Ms. Harris has fallen into a pattern of telling and not showing how her characters feel. None of the characters feels fully fleshed out. I can’t connect with any of the motivations of the characters and so I find their actions to be rather inexplicable at times. The world building is also a bit anemic in this book and so trying to understand the political descriptions is difficult. Due to this I wouldn’t really recommend this book, unless you are looking for a short read that you don’t pay close attention to.

In the fifth book in the Gunnie Rose series, Lisbeth and Eli are visited by Felicia and Peter in their small hometown of Segundo Mexia. Lisbeth has just experienced a big loss - and is about to experience another one as Eli and Peter quickly take leave to return to the HRE. Lisbeth has no idea if they are planning to return - though this will soon become the least of her worries.

I love Charlaine Harris' stories - they are quick, action-packed, and filled with bad ass females. I have read every one of her books and will continue to read them as long as she continues to write! This was a fun read, and I am already anxiously awaiting the next one in the series!

Dang! Not to share spoilers, but even in this magical alternate reality, I did not expect quite so many deaths, nor some of those deaths to be quite so permanent. I can't wait for the Wizard's Ball!

This series gets better with each book. The latest instalment is fast paced credible, considering it is set in such an unusual world. I loved the new details of some of the secondary characters and got a much stronger sense of the main character and what drives her.

Low key for this series. There was some tension but the danger seemed muted. Looked like more of a setup for future books. I did enjoy visiting with all the characters.

3.5 stars

In this installment of the series, we get the treat of sisters Lizbeth and Felicia spending time together and further developing their relationship, with chapters alternating between the two points of view.

Felicia arrives in Texoma with Eli’s brother Peter to spend the summer with Lizbeth. Shortly after their arrival, a mysterious group of soldiers attacks the town, spurring the group to defend them. After Eli and Peter suddenly leave town for uncertain reasons, Lizbeth and Felicia are left alone with too many questions, both personal and about the attack. They have little time for reflection, though, as a series of visitors and new attackers, from grigories to mercenaries, keep the sisters busy.

Despite the fast pace of the story, there is not as strong a plotline in this as in previous books in the series. But the tale gives us strong insights into Lizbeth’s and Felicia’s characters and delivers a strong share of heartache, of tragedy, and a hint of what’s to come in future stories. I devoured the book and was left feeling sorry when it was finished.

That’s always a strong recommendation when you’re left wanting more.

Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.

"#1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author returns with the fifth installment in the bestselling Gunnie Rose series as sisters Lizbeth Rose and Felicia as well as brother Eli and Peter, are reunited in Texoma only to break apart before the Wizard's Ball held in San Diego, which will determine all their fates.

Following the murderous events of the "gripping...thrill-ride" (Karin Slaughter) Serpent of Heaven, Lizbeth Rose is awaiting the arrival of her sister Felicia and her husband's younger brother Eli in Texoma. Both needed to leave the seat of the Holy Russian Empire in San Diego after Felicia's burgeoning wizardly power in death magic became the reason for kidnapping and assassination attempts from her mother's family of high-powered wizards in Mexico.

Yet bad news has traveled ahead of them, as Eli is called back to San Diego, taking Peter along with him, splitting them apart in more ways than one as their enemies' plans for revenge come to fruition. In this fifth installment in the beloved and bestselling Gunnie Rose series, #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Charlaine Harris has crafted a family drama of murderous and magical thrills."

Charlaine Harris writes it, I will read it and love it.

I’ve been with this series for a while, and I really enjoyed this because I really missed Lizabeth in the last installment. I also really enjoyed Lizabeth and Felicia being sisters and Felicia getting to know Lizabeth’s town. I do have to admit that I didn’t enjoy a couple of things, while they were minor, I still didn’t like them, and I have to be careful as I don’t want to mention any spoilers. First off, I didn’t buy the reason behind Eli’s actions and how it happened. They should know each other a little better. Second, this felt like two different books, with the second being a little more confusing with everything and everyone around them. However, I really did enjoy this book and am excited to see what’s going to happen with the new events taking place. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

All the Dead Shall Weep is the fifth installment in the Gunny Rose series. The fourth book centered on Lizbeth Rose's half sister Felicia and the battle that ensued as her dead mother's family tried to have her kidnapped or assassinated. Felicia and Peter, Lizbeth's brother in law fled San Diego to join Lizbeth and Eli in Texoma. Lizbeth and Eli are having newlywed troubles which are put on hold when Eli and Peter are called back to San Diego for a family emergency. Felicia and Lizbeth are left to defend the homestead from various intruders from all over the new territories displaying an wide range of magical talents. All trying to add Felicia's unique death magic to their families. As the sisters try to uncover the source of their troubles, their talents are stretched to the limit. The fifth chapter is entertaining, suspenseful and exciting, continuing an excellent tale of an alternate America. Charlaine Harris has successfully constructed another fascinating world peopled with a believable, yet otherworldly characters. I love these books and I thoroughly enjoyed the latest installment. Many thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this fascinating book!

All the Dead Shall Weep has half sisters Lizbeth and Felicia teaming up against bad guys of all stripes while dealing with personal and political problems. Felicia is apparently a hot commodity as she is young, pretty and has very strong magic. Lizbeth is learning that not all problems can be solved with a gun.
I enjoyed this fast paced installment and anxiously await the next installment. I heartily recommend reading this series in order.